The Cultivation of a Native Neophyte

What's the best way to entice a novice to learn about native plants? This is what I asked myself as I embarked on the task of creating this "Why Natives" presentation.

Being somewhat of a novice myself, I knew many of the questions I would like to have answered.

After consulting native plant expert, Anne Megaro, Land Program Director of Groundwork Yonkers, I approached this project full force. The more I researched, the more I wanted to learn about native plants; I'm sure you will too.

After viewing the production, you will want come to The Native Plant Center on Saturday, April 25 and purchase native plants to infuse into your landscape. You will not only enjoy the native blooms, but also the wildlife they attract all year long.

View previous blog entries to learn even more about native plants, as well as other like-minded organizations. Be sure to click on all of the links to see their activities and views on the environment. Be sure not to miss hard-to-find footage of Lady Bird Johnson within the links.

Like -Minded Organizations Work Together in Westchester County to Encourage Residents to Go Native with Help From The Native Plant Center

Many organizations throughout Westchester County are working together to encourage the use of native plants in an effort to enhance the environment and sustain area wildlife.

In early January, Westchester County hosted the annual New York State Turf and Landscape Conference. A few weeks later, an environmental summit was held in Bedford, New York. Over nine-hundred people attended. A full day of informative lectures and workshops took place addressing issues such as oil consumption, school food, and a climate action plan for Bedford.

In early February, Teatown Lake Reservation co-hosted its annual Hudson River EagleFest, nearly 4,000 people attended this event.

The Native Plant Center was represented at all three events in an effort to inform more people about the existence of The Center and the practical use of native plants in residential landscapes. The NPC is located at Westchester Community College in Valhalla, New York. It is a project of the Westchester Community College Foundation. The mission of The NPC is to educate the community of the environmental necessity, economic value and natural beauty of native plants in the Northeast. It was the first national affiliate of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center located in Austin, Texas.

Once a year, The Native Plant Center hosts its largest fundraiser, a Wildflower and Native Plant Sale. Last year, over 5,500 native plants made their way into over 5oo backyards throughout the tri-state area.

This year The NPC's Wildflower and Native Plant Sale will be held on Saturday, April 25. Admission to the Sale is free, and open to the public. Phone 914-606-7715 for further information about this event. The Native Plant Center hosts other educational events throughout the year. Read about these events in the 2009 NPC Newsletter. Registration is required for some events.

Arming Yourself Against Invasive Plants

Today, there are still invasive plants sold in nurseries! And we unknowingly buy them. We may not be able to change the past but we certainly can try to improve the future…by avoiding the plant below.

Barberry Berberis thunbergii - This is still one of the most common shrubs sold in nurseries. Its berries are very attractive to birds that drop them in the woods. Most woodland plants bloom in early spring before trees leaf out and create shade. Unfortunately, barberries leaf out very, very early, cutting off sun from the wildflowers and inhibiting their reproduction.

New findings from Scott C. Williams of Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station indicate wild populations of the invasive Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) tend to provide perfect habitat for ticks!

Gardening Tip: By using this tool, or something similar in design, many gardeners have eradicated barberry from their garden.

Additional Sources for Native Plant Information

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center located in Austin, Texas is a great source for information about native plants:



P Allen Smith dicusses summer plantings in the northeast:




Bill Cary a writer for the Westchester Journal News has taken an interest in native plants. Read his posting to learn more.

In September, 2008 Martha Stewart was awarded the Acorn Award by The Native Plant Center at the Tenth Anniversary Celebration of the organization.

Why should garden enthusiasts plant natives?

Why the interest in native plants these days? As all gardeners know, matching the right plant to the right site can be difficult. Plants native to this continent or more specifically the northeast have developed survival strategies over millions of years. You might as well take advantage of this!
Native plants . . .
1. are usually more suited to New York's hot humid summers
2. usually require less watering once established
3. often require less maintenance
4. often are less interesting to deer
5. help restore natural food and nectar sources for butterflies, hummingbirds
6. can be as environmentally important as recycling
7. help you avoid the worry about unwittingly using invasive plants